Joshua makes it three KOs running as he beats Kisicek in front of all-star cast

Champions past and present were ringside as Anthony Joshua recorded his third knockout in succession on Thursday night.

Former world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and current British and Commonwealth title holder David Price were among the onlookers at London's iconic York Hall.

Michael Watson, meanwhile, was introduced to a rapturous reception as Joshua continued his blistering start to life in the professional ranks with a second-round stoppage of Hrvoje Kisicek.

Winner: Anthony Joshua knocks Hrvoije Kisicek down during their heavyweight bout at York Hall

Powerplay: Joshua was too hot to handle as he made it three KOs running

The 24-year-old Olympic gold medalist needed less than a round to see off Emanuele Leo on his debut last month while Paul Butler made it as far as the second session before also succumbing to Joshua's power.

And Croatian Kisicek, who recently went the distance with Tyson Fury's cousin Hughie but who had lost six of his 11 professional contests, was another lamb to the slaughter.

Joshua, who enjoyed a significant height and reach advantage, applied the pressure from the first bell. With a minute of the opening round remaining, a left hook to the body rocked Kisicek who did well to survive the subsequent onslaught and return to his stool.

But he was merely delaying the inevitable.

Joshua had his man on the canvas after a sharp left-right-left combination and although the Croatian rose, the fight was waved off after another flurry of punches on the ropes.

Nice one: Michael Watson congratulates Joshua after his impressive show of force

Arm in arm: Watson and Barry Hearn pose ringside after the heavyweight bout

Joshua will return to the ring on Saturday week on the undercard of Carl Froch's world title fight with George Groves in Manchester and will round his year off at the Excel Centre in London on December 14.

'I worked on a few things in there,' he told Sky Sports. 'He was cagey, awkward and durable.

'It's important to work on things in the gym and take that to the ring. I'll be in Manchester next weekend performing again and I need to be ready for that.'